Vrouw uit Venetië 1569

This engraving, "Vrouw uit Venetië," was made by Ferando Bertelli using a burin to incise lines into a copper plate. The image is then transferred to paper through the printing press. The figure's dress, rendered with delicate lines, reveals the period's skilled textile production, and a fashion culture that was spreading across Europe. The artist has accurately depicted the qualities of her clothing, from the heaviness of the skirt to the fineness of her veil. But look closely and you'll see how the lines not only depict form but also convey texture and light. The printmaking process itself democratized images. It enabled the wider circulation of fashion trends and social identities. The labor involved in creating the copperplate and making prints connects this image to broader networks of craft production and consumption. Let’s remember that the art isn't just about what's depicted, but how it's made and how it circulates in society.